Corvus has acquired the rights to two books by debut adult fiction author, MARK ROBERTS.

Sara O'Keefe, Editorial Director of Corvus, bought the UK and Commonwealth rights to THE HEROD KILLINGS and an untitled second book by debut thriller writer Mark Roberts, from Peter Buckman at the Ampersand Agency. Peter Buckman has sold German rights to Rowohlt and Longanesi won Italian rights in a pre-empt. THE HEROD KILLINGS is the first in a gripping thriller series starring DCI David Rose.

Sara O'Keefe commented: 'This is a brilliantly dark, pulse-pounding thriller that blends elements of classic serial-killer storytelling with a touch of the occult. It is a very exciting acquisition for Corvus and will be a lead title for us in 2013'.